PRESS RELEASES

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced a bold first step in ensuring a brighter future for Florida’s economy. Governor DeSantis recently wrote a letter to the members of Florida’s 23 Professional Licensing Boards, calling on them to join him, Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Halsey Beshears on Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Valencia College in Orlando for a one-day event called “Florida Deregathon” to find solutions to harmful regulations facing Floridians.

“Florida is one of the most attractive states in the nation to do business, but unnecessary government regulations create a burden upon our businesses, both small and large,” said Governor DeSantis.“Aggressive and appropriate deregulation is a top priority of my administration. Aside from hurting our businesses, harmful regulations are costly, stifle competition and limit our labor pool. I look forward to working with the boards to see what can be done to keep Florida on a trajectory toward continued prosperity.”

“Having served for eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, I understand all too well the impact harmful regulations have on individuals and businesses alike,” said Lieutenant Governor Nuñez. “It is our duty to foster an environment conducive to economic growth and success for all Floridians. To that end, we ask that the Licensing Boards come up with sound, pertinent solutions to the regulatory challenges facing our great state.”

“As a business owner and entrepreneur, I know from experience that needless regulations act as a damper on Florida’s economy and disproportionately affect small businesses,” said Secretary Beshears. “I look forward to hearing from Florida’s Professional Licensing Boards about ways we can eliminate burdensome requirements and craft a common-sense approach to regulating business in the state of Florida.”

During Florida Deregathon, there will be no official vote or action taken by the respective boards. Each board will work to identify and recommend unnecessary regulations that can be immediately eliminated.

A PDF copy of the letter Governor DeSantis wrote to the members of Florida’s 23 Professional Licensing Boards can be found HERE.

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) Secretary Jonathan Zachem issued an Emergency Order suspending Florida statutes and rules that may prevent, hinder or delay necessary response and recovery from Hurricane Michael for counties identified in the Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declaration DR-4399. See the Emergency Order HERE.

“Many residents throughout the Florida Panhandle have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Michael,” Secretary Zachem said. “Under Governor Scott’s leadership, the Department is working to provide the resources needed during this difficult time to help quickly repair and rebuild our great state.”

The Emergency Order extends certain licensure deadlines and permits local governments to authorize local specialty licenses allowing individuals and businesses licensed in other local Florida jurisdictions to assist with restoration efforts. The order waives certain fees related to relocating or reopening businesses closed from damage caused by Hurricane Michael, and clarifies that no DBPR license is required to install non-permanent, emergency tarps to roofs. Finally, the order waives licensure requirements for disaster-recovery mitigation organizations and non-profit organizations to repair non-residential structures dedicated to public use, such as community centers, houses of worship and sports facilities.

The Emergency Order will correspond with the effective dates of Governor Scott’s Executive Order 18-276, and any extensions thereof.

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The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The Department licenses and regulates more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from hotels and restaurants, real estate agents and accountants to veterinarians, contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit www.myfloridalicense.com. Follow @FloridaDBPR on Twitter or Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation on Facebook for updates about license cycles, events and other important news.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) announced new changes to the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program allowing more small businesses impacted by Hurricane Michael to qualify. Additionally, some small businesses may be eligible for increased loan amounts in special circumstances.

DEO Executive Director Cissy Proctor said, “The Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan is designed to help small businesses in our state get back on their feet as soon as possible. We are proud to say $375,000 has already been provided to multiple small businesses who are recovering after Hurricane Michael and these changes will allow us to help even more businesses in our state.”

Eligibility changes to the program now allow for small business owners with fewer than two employees, located in any of Florida’s 35 counties impacted by Hurricane Michael, to apply for short-term loans up to $25,000. Small business owners with two to 100 employees can apply for short-term loans up to $50,000, and in special circumstances, be granted loans up to $100,000.

DEO administers the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program in partnership with the Florida SBDC Network to provide cash flow to businesses damaged by a disaster. These loans are interest-free for up to one year and help bridge the gap between the time damage is incurred and when a business secures other financial resources, including payment of insurance claims or longer-term Small Business Administration loans. Up to $10 million has been allocated for the program. DEO will work with every borrower to ensure that repayment of the loan isn’t an overwhelming burden. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to Oct. 7, 2018 and demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Michael.

Michael Myhre, CEO of the Florida SBDC Network, said, “The Florida SBDC is proud to partner with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to help small businesses recover after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Michael. It is an honor to help small businesses, such as Fuqua & Sons Painting, a family-owned commercial and residential painting company, and others like them, get back to work and help their communities recover.”

To complete an application by the Dec. 7, 2018, deadline, or for more information on the program, visit www.floridadisasterloan.org. Small businesses can get assistance applying for state and federal business loans at Business Recovery Centers in the impacted areas. To find a Business Recovery Center, visit www.FloridaDisaster.biz. For questions regarding the Emergency Bridge Loan Program, contact the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at 866-737-7232 or email Disaster@FloridaSBDC.org. The phone line will be answered during regular business hours; all voice mails and emails will be responded to within 24 hours.

TALLAHASSEE, FL – On August 3, Secretary Jonathan Zachem of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation appointed five new deputy harbor pilots to Florida ports. Among them was the first female deputy-pilot appointee in nineteen years, Captain Dana S. Ryan, who was appointed to the Port of Palm Beach. Other appointments included Captain Travis Diemert to Port Everglades; Captain Niall Kennedy to Port Canaveral; and Captains Brendan Myers and Captain Kenneth J. Sears, Jr. to the Port of Tampa Bay.

“Deputy harbor-pilot appointments are extremely competitive, and candidates have rigorous experience and examination requirements,” Secretary Zachem said. “We congratulate the recent appointees and thank them for their service to help ensure the ships on Florida waterways, as well as our citizens and coastal environment, are safe.”

Deputy pilots are authorized by the State of Florida to pilot vessels within the limits and specifications established by state-licensed pilots at ports where deputies are appointed to serve. They must complete a mandatory apprenticeship before becoming full pilots authorized to guide cruise and cargo ships into Florida ports without supervision.

DBPR’s Division of Professions is responsible for licensing over 434,000 professionals, including harbor pilots. Housed in the Division is the Board of Pilot Commissioners. For licensing and application information, please visit the harbor pilots’ board page.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested twelve people on multiple charges during Operation Freelancer VII, an investigation to protect citizens from unlicensed contractors.

Detectives worked with the Sarasota County Building Department, the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to contact individuals advertising home repair services that require a license to complete. As individuals arrived at the predetermined residence, the DBPR database was checked to determine if they were licensed, registered as a contractor, and/or required workers compensation coverage or exemption to perform the work they proposed to do.

In all, the operation resulted in 12 felony charges and 12 misdemeanor charges. Those arrested have a total of 33 prior felony and 33 misdemeanor charges as well as a combined 37 convictions. Two of the defendants, David Pond and Kim Bachert have prior charges for Unlicensed Contracting. Another, Nathan Poor, has charges dating back to 2006 for Domestic Battery, Resisting Arrest and Scheme to Defraud. The following individuals were arrested during the three-day operation:

Since 2012, the sheriff’s office has assigned detectives to investigate claims against people who engage in contracting work without proper licenses, permits or certification. A first offense usually results in a civil citation by code enforcement but subsequent violations lead to misdemeanor or felony criminal charges. The defendants also receive a cease and desist order from the State of Florida.

“Maintenance operations like these should be a good reminder for consumers to always seek licensed contractors to perform work on their homes or businesses,” said SheriffTom Knight. “Consumers are exposing themselves to financial and physical risk by allowing these people to enter their home, unlicensed, and in some cases, with criminal histories. Let this be a warning to criminals who come into our community and illegally solicit services, that their behavior will not be tolerated.”

“For over five years, DBPR has partnered with the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Financial Services Division of Insurance Fraud, and the Sarasota County Building Department to bring down unlicensed contractors in Florida,” said DBPR Secretary Jonathan Zachem. “This continued, strong partnership is integral to DBPR’s mission to protect the public from unlicensed contractors and to uphold the integrity of the construction profession.”

“The (MSBIA) Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association continues to applaud the efforts of Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight in the aggressive pursuit of unlicensed and unpermitted activity in Sarasota County,” said MSBIA CEO Jon Mast. “The actions of the Sheriff’s office helps to protect the health, safety and welfare of the community from unscrupulous handymen impersonating legitimate licensed contractors. By defending unsuspecting homeowners in this way proves the Sheriff is focused on protecting the citizens of Sarasota County from being robbed of their money, shoddy work and peace of mind.”

Florida law sets specific rules and guidelines for obtaining professional licensure, and the people who have met these requirements are held to professional standards. Consumers can verify licenses with the DBPR online at www.myfloridalicense.com, by calling 850-487-1395, or downloading the free DBPR Mobile app through iTunes or the Google Play store.